Richard Widmark plays Jefty as a slimy evil genius who comes unhinged and Ida Lupino is superb as the sassy and beautiful lounge singer Lily. It's got some great songs and excellently crafted dramatic tension.

"I can't believe I left a good drink to come up here." Ida's a hoot and her singing ("Quarter to Three" eg) is fun as well. Indeed, all 4 leads are excellent. Then there's Lupino's Bette Davis impression just before she jumps into the lake. Plays at first a bit MGMish (ie more romance than noir) but then it gets nice and raspy toward the end. Contains a barrel full of tart-tongued quips and one-liners (I mean, even by noir standards).

Ida Lupino and Richard Widmark both give delightful performances (as does Celeste Holm in a smaller role), and the third act is marvelously tense and twisted. But Cornel Wilde is a real dud, there's too much buildup (although Lupino's songs are very nice) and the script requires a bit too much suspension of disbelief . Despite its charms, the flaws are too noticeable and I don't really see myself watching it again.

If you enjoyed All About Eve, you'll be delighted to meet Celeste Holm once more, this time trading catty quips with Ida Lupino, who can hold her own with anyone! Wait till you hear Ida's smoky whispering voice sing Johnny Mercer's "One For My Baby." Wait till you see her steam up the bowling alley in her 1940's version of a tube top. All this while watching Richard Widmark's character evolve from an appealing if naive young man into an obsessed psychopath. Not to be missed!

Great stuff!